Norther Plains Forest EcoSafari

Experience some of the most rare and unique of Cambodia’s wildlife, from rich evergreen to dry forest around the wild and remote Northern Plains. Spend nights deep in a wildlife sanctuary on the edge of a 12th century Baray and in a treetop house in a private ecotourism initiative. This tour takes you through some of Cambodia’s key conservation areas.

All our itineraries are tailor-made – this is a suggestion for a great trip based on our deep knowledge. You can take it as it is, or we can design it with your unique requirements, interests, and capabilities in mind.

Our tours are tailor-made – the itineraries shown are suggestions based on our deep knowledge, or we can work with you to create your trip for your unique requirements, interests, and capabilities.

Habitats & Species

“We had booked a 1-day bird watching tour around Siem Reap as part of our family vacation in Cambodia. Our tour guide, Mardy Sean, and a driver picked us up 5:30 am and had organized a fantastic tour all day to different birding locations, back at 6:30 pm. Despite off-season for many birds we were impressed about Mardy’s skills in spotting lots of birds. His enthusiasm and impressive knowledge about the wildlife of Cambodia made it one of the best days in our vacation. Thank you for an excellent day! “Jesper, Johanne and Per H. Nielsen, Aalborg, Denmark

Itinerary

Leaving early from Siem Reap we travel to the Bengal Florican Grasslands Conservation Area to spot these critically endangered birds, before travelling on to Betreed. Here you can experience raw nature home to endangered and threatened species of Cambodian wildlife: Banteng (wild cow), Pileated Gibbons, Silver Langurs, Barking Deer, Sambar Deer and many species of birdlife. Sleep the night in the ‘Tree House’ or ‘Monkey Pod’. Your visit helps preserve this area.

Exploring the varied habitats from Dry to Evergreen forest, take a challenging hike to the top of the mountain, explore Angkorian era “cave-temples”, and the quarries where the ancients carved out their stone. Or traverse a saddle of the mountain on 300m ziplines with panoramic views of the forest below.

Head out along the many trails on the hunt for birds, butterflies and wildlife before traveling on to Prey Veng, our newest community Ecolodge, on the banks of a 12th century baray, deep in the Kulen Prontemp Wildlife sanctuary. Spend the late afternoon exploring the nearby lost temple ruins, trekking round the baray, or just relax with sundowners on the platform over the reservoir, watching the evening wildlife.

How you spend today is up to you. Explore the Baray trails to spot critically endangered birds and wildlife, hike the 12 k to the mountain temples, or take a boat out if water levels permit. There is also the chance to get involved with community conservation work at certain times of year, monitoring wildlife or joining forest patrols whilst learning about traditional rubber tapping in the community forest, or learn about the growing of our wildlife friendly Ibis Rice.

Leave after early wildlife trekking and breakfast to travel to our iconic vulture site at Boeng Toal, a remote location in the Northern Plains. For many, this is a highlight and the chance to see three critically endangered vulture species, jackals, dhole and more, feeding. The night is spent in safari style tents.

Owing to decline in wildlife and other man-made threats, Cambodia’s vultures are reliant on supplementary feeding. A cow will be provided to the vultures, and from dawn we will be able to watch the spectacle of up to eighty White-rumped and Red-headed Vultures, and sometimes also Slender-billed Vultures feeding on the carcass. After the vultures have finished feeding we return to Siem Reap, stopping at Beng Melea, a spectacular jungle-temple ruin, where we can expect to see forest birds — including some scarce winter migrants.

Cambodia Birding SuperTour 2018

The now legendary SVC Birding SuperTour is back for 2018! This tour is a totally unique chance to go after all Cambodia’s critically endangered, endangered and endemic species and diversity of habitats.

About Us

SVC manages wildlife viewing trips with exclusive access to Wildlife Conservation Society sites across Cambodia. We were registered as a local NGO with the Ministry of Interior in 2006. Our goal is to provide an alternative sustainable livelihood from ecotourism for the local communities at the sites that WCS prioritises for conservation. In return for the income and employment received they are asked to sign no hunting and land use agreements, which are monitored by Ministries of Environment and Forestry patrol teams advised by WCS.